Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'holy'

English Word: holy

Key Russian Translations:

• святой [ˈsvʲætəj] - [Formal, used in religious or sacred contexts]
• священный [svʲaˈʂʲenːɨj] - [Formal, emphasizing divine or consecrated aspects]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in religious, cultural, and historical contexts, but less frequent in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic adjective forms and religious vocabulary; learners at this level can grasp it with some practice, but cultural nuances may add complexity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

святой: [ˈsvʲætəj]

священный: [svʲaˈʂʲenːɨj]

Note on святой: The stress is on the first syllable, and the "svʲ" sound is a palatalized 's' followed by 'v', which can be challenging for English speakers due to the soft consonants in Russian.

Note on священный: Pronounce the 'щ' as a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to 'sh' in "she", but more emphatic; variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to religion or something sacred, divine, or set apart for religious purposes (e.g., holy water, holy day)

Translation(s) & Context:

• святой - Used in formal religious contexts, such as describing saints or sacred objects.
• священный - Applied to things consecrated or divinely inspired, like holy texts or sites.

Usage Examples:

• Этот святой человек помог многим в деревне. (This holy person helped many in the village.)

  Translation: This holy person helped many in the village. (Context: Describes a revered individual in a religious setting.)

• В церкви есть священный алтарь, где проводятся обряды. (In the church, there is a holy altar where rituals are performed.)

  Translation: In the church, there is a holy altar where rituals are performed. (Context: Refers to a consecrated object in a formal religious environment.)

• Праздник Рождества считается святым для верующих. (The Christmas holiday is considered holy for believers.)

  Translation: The Christmas holiday is considered holy for believers. (Context: Highlights a sacred event in cultural and religious contexts.)

• Священный огонь зажигают на пасхальном богослужении. (The holy fire is lit during the Easter service.)

  Translation: The holy fire is lit during the Easter service. (Context: Illustrates a ritualistic use in Orthodox traditions.)

Meaning 2: Morally pure or spiritually exalted (e.g., holy behavior, holy thoughts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• святой - Informal or metaphorical use for someone with high moral integrity.
• священный - Less common, but used for abstract concepts like holy vows.

Usage Examples:

• Его святой образ жизни вдохновляет молодежь. (His holy way of life inspires the youth.)

  Translation: His holy way of life inspires the youth. (Context: Describes moral purity in a non-religious, everyday inspirational sense.)

• Священный долг каждого — помогать ближним. (The holy duty of everyone is to help their neighbors.)

  Translation: The holy duty of everyone is to help their neighbors. (Context: Emphasizes ethical obligations with a spiritual undertone.)

• В её глазах отражается святой свет веры. (In her eyes, the holy light of faith is reflected.)

  Translation: In her eyes, the holy light of faith is reflected. (Context: Poetic or metaphorical use in literature or personal reflection.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "святой" and "священный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with nouns. "Святой" is a regular adjective with full declension, while "священный" follows similar rules but may vary slightly in formal contexts.

Note: These adjectives do not change in predicative positions (e.g., "Он святой" remains "святой"). For irregular forms or exceptions, consult a detailed grammar resource.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • божественный (divine; implies a more heavenly or god-like quality)
  • священный (already listed as a key translation, but can synonymize in some contexts; emphasizes consecration)
• Antonyms:
  • нечестивый (unholy or impious; used for something lacking spiritual purity)
  • мирской (worldly; contrasts with spiritual or sacred matters)

Related Phrases:

• святой отец (holy father) - A term for a priest or religious leader, often in Orthodox contexts; refers to spiritual authority.
• священная реликвия (holy relic) - An object of religious veneration, such as in museums or churches; highlights cultural artifacts.
• святой день (holy day) - Refers to a religious holiday, like Easter; used in festive or ceremonial settings.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "святой" and "священный" are often tied to Orthodox Christian traditions, which dominate Russian culture. Unlike English "holy," which can be more secular, these words are primarily religious. Choose "святой" for personal or living entities (e.g., saints), and "священный" for objects or abstract concepts. Be mindful of context: in formal writing or speech, these words carry a weighty, reverent tone. Grammatically, always ensure adjective agreement with the noun in gender, number, and case to avoid errors.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "святой" with "священный," using them interchangeably. Error: Saying "святой Библия" (incorrect, as it should be "священная Библия" for the Holy Bible). Correct: "Священная Библия" – because it refers to a consecrated text, not a person.

• Another common mistake is forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., using "святой" in the wrong case. Error: "Я видел святой" (incorrect for "I saw the holy one"). Correct: "Я видел святого" (genitive case). Explanation: Russian requires precise case agreement, which English speakers might overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "святой" are deeply rooted in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, which has shaped Russian history and identity. For instance, saints (e.g., Saint Nicholas) are venerated through icons and festivals, reflecting a blend of spirituality and national heritage. This can add layers of meaning beyond the literal translation, emphasizing community and faith in everyday life.

Related Concepts:

• церковь (church)
• вера (faith)
• бог (god)